Bob Chakales

Summary

Robert Edwards Chakales [sha-kuh'-les] (August 10, 1927 – February 18, 2010) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with four clubs between the 1951 and 1957 seasons. Listed at 6'1", 185 lb., Chakales batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Asheville, North Carolina.

Bob Chakales
Pitcher
Born: (1927-08-10)August 10, 1927
Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.
Died: February 18, 2010(2010-02-18) (aged 82)
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 21, 1951, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
September 17, 1957, for the Boston Red Sox
MLB statistics
Win–loss record15–25
Earned run average4.54
Strikeouts187
Teams

Originally a starter, Chakales also filled various roles coming out from the bullpen, as a closer or middle reliever. He reached the majors in 1951 with the Cleveland Indians, spending three and a half years with them before moving to the Baltimore Orioles (1954), Chicago White Sox (1955), Washington Senators (1955–57) and Boston Red Sox (1957).

In his rookie year Chakales recorded two of his three wins helping himself with the bat, going 7–for–20 (.350) with one home run and six RBI. His most productive season came in 1954, when he posted career highs in wins (5), strikeouts (47), earned run average (3.43) and innings pitched (99.2) in 41 pitching appearances (six as a starter). After that, he was part of various trades that included players as Vic Wertz, Don Ferrarese, Clint Courtney, Johnny Groth, Jim Busby, Milt Bolling and Faye Throneberry.

In a seven-season career, Chakales went 15–25 with 187 strikeouts and a 4.54 ERA in 171 games, including 23 starts, three complete games, one shutout, 10 saves, and 225 walks in 420+13 innings of work. As a hitter, he posted a .271 average (26–for–96) with one home run and 9 RBI.

Chakales died in Richmond, Virginia, at the age of 82.

Sources edit

  • Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
  • Retrosheet - player page